JACL’s 25th anniversary, a Supreme Court ruling and immigration hearings

Vol. 41, No. 20, November 11, 1955. 8 pages. View this issue

Two national matters led the news in this 8-page issue. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that segregation at public parks, beaches and golf courses violates the 14th Amendment, and the paper’s editorial welcomed the decision. Helen Mineta reported that Senate hearings on the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 would open Nov. 21, with JACL’s Mike Masaoka asking to testify. Another story covered hearings on vested property bills set for Nov. 29-30. The front page also reported on the Northern California-Western Nevada district convention in Sebastopol, where Yas Abiko was named chairman and a banquet marked JACL’s 25th anniversary.

Columns by Harry K. Honda looked at New York City and at early Christmas giving. Mary Oyama wrote about Hawaii. Chapter news came from Denver, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Detroit and Chicago, including receptions for newly naturalized Issei citizens. Readers will also find a report on Nisei veterans honored at Arlington National Cemetery and a note on the film Three Stripes in the Sun.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

  • Discrimination Again Scotched, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that segregation at public parks, beaches, and golf courses violates the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause. The editorial praises the decision and notes the continued struggle against segregation.
  • New York, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. Harry Honda describes his impressions of New York City, including its congestion, tipping customs, and sharp contrasts between wealth and poverty. He also recounts observations of the advertising world and the city’s diverse languages.
  • Christmas Planning, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. Harry Honda encourages groups to plan Christmas giving early and to consider shut-ins, the aged, the handicapped, and children. He offers practical tips for meaningful holiday giving through JACL channels.
  • Smoglites: Hawaii, by Mary Oyama, page 6. Mary Oyama describes the beauty of the Hawaiian Islands and the aloha spirit of its people. She recounts a meeting with poet Don Blanding and an encounter with a young artist on Kauai.
  • Los Angeles Column on Legal and Community Matters, by P.C. Staff, page 7. A Nisei veteran was nearly transferred from a California hospital to Illinois due to residency rules until JACL intervened. The column also covers a Japanese refugee admitted to the U.S. and a housing dispute involving the Motodani family.

Community

  • Yas Abiko Named New Chairman of NC-WN District, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Northern California-Western Nevada JACL District Council held its biennial convention in Sebastopol, installing Yas Abiko as chairman and celebrating JACL’s 25th anniversary. Workshops on chapter membership and responsibilities were held, and several resolutions were passed.
  • Dr. Henry Takahashi Named Associate of Photographic Society of America, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Berkeley optometrist Dr. Henry Takahashi was made an associate of the Photographic Society of America for his proficiency in color photography. The award was presented at the PSA Boston convention.
  • Mile-Hi JACL Issei Dinner Draws Over 300 to Denver YWCA, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Mile-Hi JACL hosted an Issei dinner-reception and children’s Halloween party honoring 140 newly naturalized citizens. Officials extended greetings and the event drew more than 300 attendees.
  • Dr. Sammy Lee Moves Into New Home in Anaheim, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Olympic diving champion Dr. Sammy Lee moved into a new home in Anaheim and opened a private medical practice in South Santa Ana. He had been refused a house purchase in Garden Grove earlier in the year due to his race.
  • Fresno Issei Couple Donates $10,000 to Veterans Hospital, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Mr. and Mrs. Taburo Okuda marked their 60th wedding anniversary with a $10,000 donation to the Fresno Veterans Hospital. The couple said they had no sons to give to the armed forces.
  • Three Japanese Americans Killed in Highway Crash Near Selma, by P.C. Staff, page 3. An aged Issei couple, Mr. and Mrs. Osaki, died after a collision with a grain-laden truck on US Highway 99 south of Selma. Their son Kenji Osaki is president of the Western Young Buddhist League.
  • Denver Honors Newly Naturalized Issei Citizens, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Mile-Hi JACL held a reception for over 60 newly naturalized Issei citizens with officials extending congratulations. Speakers and volunteers were recognized for their roles in the program.
  • Chicago Chapter Holiday Greetings and Community News, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Chicago JACL notes closures of Nisei businesses along East 55th Street due to Hyde Park redevelopment. The Chicago Buddhist Church Scouts celebrated their 11th anniversary and the Americanization class graduated 50 Issei.
  • NC-WN Convention Resolutions Continued, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The NC-WN District Council passed resolutions supporting the 1956 National Convention in San Francisco, honoring Assemblyman Edward Elliott, and calling for equal treatment of Free Asia in immigration law revisions. Awards of JACL sapphire pins were also announced.
  • Pacific Northwest District Council Convention Set for Tacoma, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The PNWDC biennial convention will feature a JACL Silver Anniversary banquet in Tacoma on Nov. 19 with Senator Warren Magnuson as main speaker. Business sessions and election of new officers are planned.
  • Terasaki Named General Chairman of 1955 Mountain-Plains JACL Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Yutaka Terasaki was designated chairman of the Mountain-Plains JACL Convention to be held in Denver Nov. 26-27. Mike Masaoka and Dr. Roy Nishikawa will be special visitors reporting on national matters.
  • Seattle JACL Honors Membership Team Winners, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Merry Mimbu’s team of Bill Mimbu and Amy Takano was honored as winner of the 1955 Seattle JACL membership campaign. The chapter had 306 members as of Oct. 31.
  • Hachiya Installed as Salt Lake JACL President for Third Straight Year, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Rupert Hachiya became the first Salt Lake JACL chapter president to be installed for a third consecutive term. Installation ceremonies were held Nov. 5 at El Gaucho with the chapter, auxiliary, and Jr. JACL officers sworn in.
  • Southwest L.A. JACL Honors Naturalized Issei at Dorsey High, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Over 800 naturalized Issei citizens in the Southwest and Wilshire-Olympic districts will be honored jointly by local JACL, VFW Nisei Memorial Post 9938, and Dorsey High adult education. The program is set for Nov. 18.
  • Detroit JACL Plans Pot-Luck Supper for Election Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Detroit JACL will hold a family-style pot-luck supper and election meeting on Nov. 26. Children will be shown movies during the officer elections.
  • Seattle Column: Looking at the Outside from E. 52nd St., by Budd and Arlene Fukei, page 5. Seattle news notes include political developments, increased fares, and local personalities. The column also mentions a Seattle JACL community beautification project and recent visitors.
  • Mile-Hi Golf Club Award Dinner Planned, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Mile-Hi Golf Club award presentation is scheduled for Nov. 19 at Wolf Saddle Club in Denver. The event will commence at 8:30.

Military & Veterans

  • Six Nisei Lads Volunteer Together for Draft, Filling Month’s Quota, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Six young Nisei men from Malheur County, Oregon, volunteered together for induction into the armed forces at the local draft board on Nov. 2. Their group filled the board’s quota for the month.
  • Recall Valor, Devotion of Nisei GIs of World War II at Arlington Memorial, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Memorial services for Nisei veterans of World War II and the Korean War were held at Arlington National Cemetery on Oct. 31. Speakers honored the valor and sacrifice of the Nisei soldiers.
  • Three Stripes in the Sun Features Mitsuko Kimura, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Mitsuko Kimura stars in Three Stripes in the Sun, a film based on the true story of Sgt. Hugh O’Reilly and his Japanese wife Yuko Saito. Critics praise her performance in the film, which was shot on location in Japan.

National

  • Senate Hearings on Immigration and Nationality Act to Begin Nov. 21, by Helen Mineta, page 1. Public hearings on the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 will open before a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee, and JACL’s Mike Masaoka has requested to testify. Several pending bills to amend the Act are to be considered.
  • Bills Due for Public Hearing on Vested Property, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearings on Trading with the Enemy Act bills are set for Nov. 29-30, with JACL seeking to testify for the return of vested property. Several bills are under consideration, including provisions for full return of property.
  • Immigration Act Hearings Anticipated, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearings on amendments to the Walter-McCarran Act are scheduled to begin Nov. 21. JACL plans to testify and present its views on the 1952 law and proposed amendments.

Sports

  • Interest High for 3rd Mountain-Plains Bowling Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The third annual Mountain-Plains JACL Bowling Tournament will be held at Bowl-Mor Lanes in Denver on Nov. 26-27. More than 20 teams are expected to compete in handicap-based classes.

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